November 19, 2023
Yesterday we came home. According to Google the whole nine yards from New Plymouth to Carterton should take 4 hours and 25 minutes via State Highway 3, or 5 hours and 10 minutes via State Highways 3 and 1. We took seven hours, and I am not sure exactly where we went because when we came across from Marton to Feilding we seemed to take a couple of wrong turns. Still when you arrive home safely, I think you have clearly taken the right turns; after all arriving home safe is the most important outcome and who knows what would have happened if you had gone the other way.
The seven hours were taken up by both driving and stopping: These two share equal importance. I think I noted earlier that we limit car travel to three hours a day. This way I remain alert. Anything over three hours, at my age, is, I think, dangerous. The exception to this is when we are on the last day heading home. The trip home can be a double driving day providing three further rules are met. The first is early occupation of the scratcher the night before, second an early start, and lastly at least two substantial breaks (at least half an hour each) along the journey.
Our first break was breakfast in Hawera, the second a stop off to pick up the previously left behind puffer jacket in Whanganui. These two substantial breaks were followed by stops in Feilding and lastly in Pahiatua (or was it Eketahuna?).
Last day homeward bound driving is a serious business. The road and the journey must be front and centre for the driver, not the destination.
Home was arrived at in the mid-afternoon, and about 45 minutes later the car was unpacked, the washing was on and both J and I were settled down for an afternoon snooze.
There is nothing quite like being home and settling in for the afternoon snooze – or siesta, as J prefers to call it.
Off Highway One 